When you want to perfect every part of your home, you’re probably aware of the sheer amount of work that’s going to go into all of this. Nowadays, it’s so important to find the right balance. It’s not just about budgeting and the scale of something within your home, but it’s the quality and even the environmental impact that item has on the world. Honestly, creating a stylish and inviting living space doesn’t have to come at the expense of the environment.
While sure, there is more than enough information out there that makes it feel otherwise, it’s more about having a growing emphasis on sustainability for your home. On top of that, you should also think about ethical consumption (thanks to fast homewares, this has been a major issue lately), so more and more homeowners are turning to eco-friendly home decor options that minimize environmental impact without sacrificing style.
But, with that said, you also need to think of something else: where can you find elegant yet environmentally friendly home decor? Specifically, how can you find this without it being greenwashed? Fortunately, it’s absolutely possible, so here’s exactly what you need to know!
Choose Sustainable Materials
Honestly, you just can’t go wrong choosing items that are entirely natural. When selecting furniture and decor items for your home, opt for pieces made from sustainable materials. Basically, you’re going to want to go with materials that are renewable, recyclable, or biodegradable. Look for furniture crafted from responsibly sourced wood, bamboo, or reclaimed materials, which minimize deforestation and reduce waste. The same can be said for natural fibers like organic cotton, linen, and hemp for upholstery and textiles, which are free from harmful chemicals and pesticides.
There is one thing to keep in mind: fast homeware companies and manufacturers are more than aware that consumers are after sustainable materials, but a lot of them (just like with fast fashion) will incorporate some sustainable materials, but they may not be ethically sourced. So essentially, there’s some greenwashing involved. Unfortunately, this is really common, so it might help to look into brands that have Fair Trade certifications and other widely recognized ones.
Choose Something That Lasts a Long Time
It’s really important to keep in mind that it’s not just about the material, but it’s about the durability, too. While yes, it’s always great to buy natural materials for your home, sometimes these just aren’t durable.
For example, the best faux wood blinds are going to be way more durable than actual wood or bamboo blinds since these tend to warp depending on the temperature and moisture levels within the house. This is nothing more than an example, but sometimes, you are truly better off just sticking to something that you know for a fact will last you years on end.
You Can Never Go Wrong with Houseplants
Ideally, these should be real houseplants, but if you’re planting some color, like with flowers, then opting for some silk flowers could be a fabulous idea (but the emphasis is on the silk, so don’t buy just randomly artificial flowers). Not only do plants add a touch of greenery and freshness to your living space, but they also improve air quality and promote a sense of well-being. If you really want to make a statement, then you can’t go wrong with White Birds of Paraside and large Peace Lillies, as both of these are fairly low maintenance and super gorgeous
XOXO,
